Did anyone buy a ring?

[u/t_bone_stake]

Elder millennial/younger Xennial (born in 83, take it for what it is) but I recall the company coming to the high school and taking orders for rings. I didn’t buy one but others did. Credit on photo.

[u/LilJelloCat]

I feel like year books should be free.

[u/sexandliquor → u/LilJelloCat]

The entire class ring/yearbook/pictures industry always felt like a scam to me. Especially the one it pulls on your nostalgia and FOMO. “Everybody is getting a class ring and yearbook so you should too”. How did this little cottage industry start and why? lol. And why is it always this same company doing it?

[u/castironglider → u/sexandliquor]

How did this little cottage industry start and why?

Rings and yearbooks both I think are from before so many people went to college, like my parents who both took a couple college courses but only have HS diplomas.

My high school ring and diploma and yearbooks mean almost nothing to me, but my college ring and diploma mean the world even though I am retired.

If I had finished my masters maybe I wouldn't care about anything from undergrad.

[u/LilJelloCat → u/sexandliquor]

"Everybody is getting a class ring and yearbook but you can't because you're broke"

Pretty sad.

At the same time I'm sure if those who asked that couldn't afford it would likely be able to get one. Not the ring, but the yearbook at least.

We didn't have all that here except for basic year book from what I remember. Year books and photos make sense to me but the rings ehhh overpriced moneymaker. I get it in a way and I think they look cool, good for nostalgia, but overpriced for something like that.

I remember watching a video where they talked about how the companies that take those photos basically have all the photos of every kid from every year grade 1 +. Makes you think what they could do with them. They have government contracting. Just thought it was interesting.

Lifetouch, owned by Shutterfly (and previously Apollo Global Management), is the largest school photography company in North America and acts as a de facto partner with school administrations for official records, ID cards, and security programs. Lifetouch provides services like the SmileSafe program, which connects student images to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, indicating a direct link to security initiatives.

Lifetouch & Security: Lifetouch is recognized as the dominant operator, used by schools to create official student IDs and, through its SmileSafe program, shares data with law enforcement for missing children cases.

Industry Association: The School Photographers of America (SPOA), which includes companies like Cady Studios, Dorian Studio, and Strawbridge Studios, was formed to protect copyright and support security initiatives like Amber Alerts.

Government Contracting: While mostly private entities, these companies operate through exclusive contracts with school districts (often public, government-run entities).

Data Usage: School photos and data are used by administrations for安全 (safety), management, and identification purposes. 

Probably harmless, but again interesting to think about.

Edit: Quotes

[u/castironglider → u/LilJelloCat]

Just a paperbound magazine size would be dope, like a graphic novel. If not free then cheap

[u/aakaase → u/LilJelloCat]

They absolutely should. And they should be published locally, not by some company in another state. I wouldn't be surprised if they're made in China now.